Any seadog worth his salt knows that the ocean and weather are highly unpredictable, and that prevention over intervention is the only way to prepare for stormy seas.

If you’ve spent any time sailing, you’ll know how fast things can unravel when the wind suddenly picks up and the seas start heaving. The switch from blue sky to all hell breaking loose can happen in a matter of minutes, so maintaining a yacht in readiness for a tempest is the mark of a wise sailor. Lashing down everything on deck and in the cabin is the last thing you want to be doing when your world is being turned upside down.

‘Prevention over intervention’ perfectly encapsulates why sailing sunglasses are essential equipment for a sailor. Navigating a vessel safely means being constantly prepared to meet risks and challenges. This requires maintaining our vision in optimum condition and being ready to rise to the challenge of walls of sea-spray, congested waters, harsh reflected glare and a barrage of UV radiation. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation without adequate eye protection can lead to cumulative damage to the eye in the form of macular degeneration, cataracts and damage to the cornea. Compromised vision can also lead to collisions.

Water sport sunglasses must be fit for purpose if you want to navigate safely and in comfort. Besides the familiar risks inherent in sailing, the ubiquitous presence of sun and water creates an ocean of additional risk that your sunglasses need to accommodate. The best sunglasses for sailing are therefore those that will maximise eye protection and minimise potential hazards.